Land of Hope and Glory: A British Political RP (IC)

[Greater Arab State]

---

Current Date: 6th January, 2019- 13th January, 2019

---

---

In-Character Thread

---

{OOC} {57th Parliament}

---

What is Westminster? Is it the malign lair of elitists seeking to ignore the wishes of the people? Or is it the defender of democracy through the scrutiny of legislation? Is it home to noble representatives of the electorate, seeking to better their constituencies and the lives of those within it? Or is it home to cynical politicians, hoping to retain onto their seats for as long as they can? Or perhaps, it is an anxiously placed house of cards, on the edge of the deep, dark abyss? Does it represent the virtuous hopes and desires of Britain, or does it symbolise its cavernous anxieties and prejudices? Who is responsible for constantly moving the sprawling machine of government? Is it the altruism of the pious idealist? The wily intrigues of the iniquitous egoist? Or perhaps the machine moves by its own design, bowing to no man?

But, perhaps it is merely the home of everyday humans with astronomical self-conceit believing themselves to be higher than they are, or struggling through their own everyday lives.

What is Westminster? It is the heart of the Land of Hope and Glory.

---

1: The words of the OP's are those of the gods, however RP'er's are permitted to argue their position in a civil manner but the decision taken is ultimately final.

2: No real life people as characters. You cannot RP Jacob Rees-Mogg, as noted in the introduction, all politicians post-Thatcher do not exist and have been replaced by generic stand-ins.

3: On the topic of absences, a suggested minimum is one post per week, however, we realise that this may be impractical due to RL situations and such we therefore politely ask you to inform us that you will be absent and for what period of time. However, if you were to leave the RP without notification we may have to simulate your character for certain procedures, such as Parliamentary votes.

4: With regard to the quality of posts, we do ask for a certain quality standard, no one or two line posts. However, a shorter post is acceptable within situations such as conversations.

5: We ask that your characters be of high quality and standard, therefore we ask that you refrain from a flawless characters with impeccable careers whom are then hard to interact with for RP progression. Furthermore, no sabotage characters, you may well have a dislike of the Labour Party, but it is no reason to create a character designed to damage the party and lacking in redeeming qualities.

6: There shall be no cheat-editing, edits to formatting and typos are permitted however anything major is not to be changed, particularly if it has been responded to. Gaffes are common, after all.

7: If unsure of the legality or acceptance of something, ask any of the administrators OOC, it is always best to check before committing an action, after all- there is limited leniency applied if an action is clearly bad.

8: No events that directly affect another character are to take place without prior permission. In summary, no outrageous accidents or physical acceptance unless permitted. Assassinations are banned, any and all external actions undertaken by politicians will take place in an event.

9: No meta-gaming, there is to be no OOC influencing of your characters actions. If they are in a closed situation such as a debate, they are unable to cite specific statistics, for example.

10: PG-13 limit. As per the rules of the site, there is to be no sexual or heavily vulgar content posted. You will be well aware of violating content when you see it.

---

Please wait for your application to be accepted before posting In-character.

[Agarntrop]

.

[Greater Arab State]

The London Residence of Isobel Morton-Howard MP, Westminster, London

Although it was 5:50, the residence had one of it's occupants awake, Isobel Morton-Howard had been busy preparing for the days coming events, she had the day before been canvassing in her constituency of Stone, wanting to ensure that her own support there was maintaining strength despite the growing negative response to the Prime Minister's withdrawal Agreement. She did in a way, lament the growing divide between her and Naismith, after all, they had maintained a strong relationship during their Home Office careers. However, she was convinced that the situation the Prime Minister found herself in was of her own doing. However, Morton-Howard then began to reflect on the no-confidence vote at the end of the previous year.

"The result was unfortunate but the Prime Minister has now essentially limited her Premiership, all that is left now is to force her out when we suffer a major backlash and start preparing for the leadership election." Morton-Howard said to herself, looking at the relatively mild sunrise outside. Admittedly she had not desired to stand for the position of Prime Minister, however she had been persuaded by some members of her staff and members of the ERG after the no-confidence vote to consider doing so, in order to present an alternative to the current Party leadership.

Morton-Howard then looked over to the clock in the hallway, and seeing the time, Morton-Howard thought it time to begin to get to work, she had some meetings to prepare for, particularly with wavering MP's on the issue of the Withdrawal Agreement. She proceeded to gather her handbag before leaving for her office in Portcullis House, determined to ensure that Brexit was delivered upon.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

---

Parliament return from winter recess ahead of crucial Brexit votes
7th January 2019


Following a turbulent winter which had spelled trouble to the Prime Minister’s government, Parliament will be returning today for the first time since the Conservative leadership challenge. Although Mrs Naismith survived the challenge by a clear majority, she did so on the back of a promise to stand down ‘when Brexit has been delivered’. How certain it is that can be achieved lies in the hands of the returning Parliament, which has so far refused all of the Prime Minister’s attempts so far to get her withdrawal agreement over the line. With new votes soon to be called on the withdrawal agreement, pundits and politicians alike wait with bated breath for the results.

Conservative Eurosceptics, focused around the ERG backbench grouping, reject Naismith's deal on account of the 'Northern Irish backstop', a mechanism designed to limit the impact of a hard Brexit on Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement. The DUP also reject this, vocally opposing any mechanism which creates a jurisdictional distinction between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. Conversely, Tory Remainers hav been reluctant to lend the Prime Minister their votes for a deal which they see as too divergent from Europe, ending the UK's existing trading relationship with the EU and seeing the UK withdraw from its many agencies.

Opposition parties, meanwhile, have been united largely in their opposition to the deal. Only a very few Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs have defied their parties' whips to vote for the deal on previous occasions, and do not reflect a large enough share to get the Naismith deal over the line. Despite her overtures, it seems unlikely that the Prime Minister is going to achieve a consensus with her existing Brexit deal.

With the delivery of Brexit seeming distant, some question whether Naismith will be able to deliver Brexit at all, and voices in the Tory party will be wondering just how long this situation can be sustained before the Prime Minister should go - will she go willingly, or will she pushed?

All the while, the paralysis in Westminster over the Brexit issue leaves many domestic issues unaddressed. Despite the PM's optimistic and expansive agenda, little has been achieved in the current climate. Despite winning the largest share of the vote for a Tory leader since the end of the Thatcher Government in 2017, this was not enough for Naismith to overcome a resurgent Labour under its leader Alexandra Bennett, whose broad campaign promises solidified opposition to the Tory government and enabled her to deny the Prime Minister her sought majority. Questions will remain over whether a new election may occur this year, under a potential future Conservative leader.

---

Venezuelan parliament declares Maduro presidency 'illegitimate', Juan Guiadó chosen as successor
10th January 2019


Following reported irregularities in last year's early presidential election, the power struggle between the opposition-led parliament and President Maduro in Venezuela has reached a fever pitch. With relations between the parliament and the special constituent assembly called by the President ever deteriorating, it appears that hopes of compromise or resolution have faded in the ongoing constitutional crisis in Venezuela as the parliament invoked constitutional articles to declare the Presidency 'vacant' on the basis of the election they have decried as illegitimate, and consequently invited Juan Guaidó, a leading opposition figure, to take up the office, swearing him in as President of Venezuela.

International reactions have been diverse, with battle lines drawn between Western nations like the US, which back Guaidó, whilst Russia and China support Maduro. Latin America is similarly split, with Mexico calling for calm. Argentina and Brazil have been quick to side with Guaidó, whilst Bolivia and Cuba have remained close to their left wing ally in Maduro.

The Prime Minister stated her 'concern' about the situation in Venezuela, stating that 'there is an obvious demand to fulfil a legitimate, democratic process' and that 'the UK is committed to upholding the rule of law wherever it is'. This has been interpreted by some as a statement of support for the parliament-declared President Guiadó.

---

US government shutdown becomes longest in history with 800,000 federal workers unpaid
12th January 2019


In the United States, budgetary talks between the Republican administration and Democratic-led House of Representatives have failed to bear fruit, as US President Donald Trump's demands for a border wall remain itinerant and unchanged, whilst Democratic demands for immigration reform to favour 'DREAMers' seem inflexible. With no negotiated settlement in sight, it is fair to describe the situation as a 'zero-sum game', as each side bides their time to see who comes out worse. The last Democrat-led shutdown effort under the direction of Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York had resulted in an embarrassing climbdown for the Democrats, however Democrats are gambling that the President's demands for a border wall - unpopular with the majority of Americans in recent polling - will cause the Republicans to come out of the situation as the 'losers'.

In the meantime, the US government is stuck in a process of 'sequestration', where federal services are cut down to minimal levels and essential staff are required to work without pay. This process, unique to the United States, has come under fire for the effects it has on those working without pay, many of whom have taken up second jobs in order to meet household costs. Their number includes agents of the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), who operate security checks at US airports.

UK observers are noting how the entrenched positions of the sides may reflect future US-UK trade negotiations, where fears exist over strongly held US views on trade, in particular on the part of the President, who has lambasted trade relationships that he views as 'unfair'.

[Sao Nova Europa]

Charles Henderson looked at the camera and smiled. He had found YouTube videos a most effective way of communicating his message. He would upload on the official channel of the Brexit Party short videos with his message and it would be shared by Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts, allowing Charles to bypass mainstream media and reach out a wider, and usually younger, audience than he would otherwise.



"Today, the Parliament is returning from winter recess and it is only a matter of time before our honorable Prime Minister brings yet again her Withdrawal Agreement before Parliament. Unfortunately, this agreement is anything but a withdrawal from the European Union. It does not offer us a clear, decisive break with the bureaucratic, undemocratic monster that is the EU; it dilutes Brexit, turning it essentially into a soft Remain, and ties us to this superstate project."

"The agreement that the honorable Prime Minister wants to ratify would effectively tie the UK in a customs union with the EU indefinitely. Is that a clear Brexit? Because to me, it looks more like a soft Remain. How are we supposed to credibly pursue free-trade agreements, which could greatly enrich our country and create thousands new jobs, if we remain in the customs union? It would limit us to pursuing only a limited arrange of service deals with other countries, which are both exceptionally difficult to negotiate and conclude. So much for Brexit means Brexit!"

"Even worse, the agreement would mean that Northern Ireland would have to align with specific EU rules across a range of sectors. Should Britain diverge from those rules, and we must for that is the whole point of Brexit, there will need to be checks on goods moving from Britain to Northern Ireland. So much for the... Unionist Party. The supposedly Unionist Conservatives want to create a jurisdictional distinction between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. Will we abandon Northern Ireland in order to please some bureaucrats in Brussels?"

"We need a clear break from the EU. We need to untie ourselves from the EU machinery and liberate the creative and enterprising energies of our country! With a clear Brexit, we can dismantle EU-enforced regulations & red tape, cut taxes and pursue free-trade agreements that shall turn the UK into the Singapore of Europe! That is what the EU is afraid: that other member states will see how well Britain is doing outside the EU and will begin to think twice about their membership in that imperialistic monstrosity!"

"Unfortunately, this may well not happen and we may find ourselves tied to the EU because the Conservatives are unable to do what it takes to get us out of that superstate. Need I remind you that the honorable Prime Minister had campaigned for Remain during the referendum? How can one trust someone who believed that the UK needed to remain in the EU to deliver Brexit? That is absurd! And, quite sadly, this is not the only disappointment this government brings. The whole government is one big, fat joke. When was the last time you remember the Conservative Party doing something actually... conservative? I certainly don't remember. At this point, the 'Conservatives' are the 'Lite Labour' Party. Despite the incompetence, I hope not intentional, when it comes to Brexit, the government could have pursued a series of conservative policies on other fronts. It hasn't. And why would it, when it does not stand for conservative principles and values?"

"For those of you who want a clear and decisive break with the EU, who want Brexit to be delivered and the result of the biggest democratic referendum in our history to be respected, the only thing you can do is to support the Brexit Party. Ours is the only political movement that promises a clear Brexit. We are not afraid of the bureaucrats in Brussels or the Remain liberal-globalist elites. We are the party that wants to see the democratic will of the people to be enacted. Support us and support Brexit! Support Democracy!"

[Sao Nova Europa]

The Brexit Party, on its official website, has published an article on its vision for a new, reinvigorated North after Brexit. Despite the focus on delivering Brexit, Brexit Party Chairman Charles Henderson has been insisting that the BP should not be a single-issue party but, rather, it should present a broader vision regarding the new, post-Brexit UK.

Northern England - A New Post-Brexit Vision for the North

Deindustrialization is still present for many of the communities in the North. Lack of investment and outdated infrastructure hold those communities back. Many of the people in the North are rightfully angry with the political establishment ignoring their problems. The Labour Party has failed them; instead of addressing the structural economic problems of the North, the Tom Blake government chose to use tax revenue and government borrowing to fund welfare benefits in these old manufacturing heartlands. While commendable, welfarism does not solve the problems of the North. The people in those communities do not need welfare checks, they need good-paying jobs and a reinvigoration of entrepreneur activity.

The Brexit Party presents a concise vision of how to invigorate those communities. A vision that is conservative and yet radical at the same time. Upon getting Brexit done, so we can liberate ourselves from the EU regulations and red tape that hold down the British economy, a Brexit Party government would focus on two fronts:

1. Establishing a network of local investment banks that would encourage entrepreneurship - This would finally start-up the engine of the economy in the North and allow it to flourish, creating many new, well-paid jobs.

2. Investing in our infrastructure - The Brexit Party is for the most part suspicious of government intervention and we believe that economic liberty is the best way for the UK's economy to grow. Yet, careful, limited and within cost government intervention does have its place. A large scale investment into updating local infrastructure would provide a foundation on which people could build businesses and gain skills.

Our proposal for a post-Brexit North is not that of an old industrial heartland relying on increased welfare checks but rather of a reinvigorated North with renewed entrepreneur activity becoming once again a hub of businesses and economic growth.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

Diana Naismith MP, the Prime Minister
Morning of 7th January 2019

Bastards. Surviving December had taken every card in her deck. Every weapon in her arsenal. There had been moments where she had worried that even offering to resign as she had wouldn't have been enough to save her premiership. Yet it was just about enough, just. Retained in power with a comfortable majority, she knew she was living on borrowed time. Her legacy, all the achievements she'd tried to make in guiding the Tory Party towards the centre ground... That could all be sold off and lost by her successor. Even with the Opposition being in the state it was, she knew the Tories had to continue to appeal to a new working class electorate, the political realignment was happening in front of her eyes. That said, she swore she'd never do to her successor what Monroe was doing to her. As if that man had any right to lecture the Conservative Party on Europe. Would she have been in the position she was in had he put Maastricht to a referendum? If European integration had been slower? Hell, there surely wouldn't have been a Brexit if governments before hers had been more careful. And now she was left spinning plates in futility. Futility. That was an ugly term to come to terms with. Her premiership had been futile. Alas, she'd have to make her peace with it, soldiering on. She had a duty to deliver Brexit, one way or another, and so she steeled herself for the parliamentary considerations to come.

[Agarntrop]

David Richardson MP
Westminster Residence
January 7th 2019

Richardson was exhausted but hopeful. Every day was like the night before an election. You didn't know what was going to happen or when. All you could do was guess and hope. That's what this hung parliament was like. Naismith was soon going to be on her way out, and finally - Richardson thought - labour could force through a general election and end the deadlock.

But it wasn't as if labour was easy. This wasn't 1997. Infighting and division had plagued the party so much that it was on track in the polls to lose against Naismith. Yes, you heard right, Naismith. Richardson sighed. If only it could be 1997 again. If only.

[The World Capitalist Confederation]

6th January 2019

Unlike many of her MPs - mostly moderates, but also a few weak-hearted ones amongst her own factions - Bennett still felt very emboldened by the victory in 2017, having made small gains since then. However, she was also a pragmatist, and realised that the Labour Party had a very severe image problem, with her trailing Naismith in leadership approval polls by 18%, despite the clearly collapsing government. But she wasn't about to give up yet. She began to draft plans for a "Party Broadcast Service" to reach young people and non-voters, along with creating a more coordinated message under which all official messages will go through. Furthermore, she also intended upon helping alternative left blogs and other news sources, to create a counter-narrative against the Murdoch Media and the heavily right-leaning newspapers. It was important to emphasise that many Brits had a clear disgust and distrust of the current media - particularly the Daily Mail and Sun - therefore leaving a massive gap to be filled.

The Labour Party needed media which could reach people directly, subvert the dirty tricks of Murdoch and of the Mail, lest they will have no control over the narrative. They needed a left-wing TV station, one which could at least help control the narrative in some way or other. Image was key, and Bennett wouldn't let that get past her. She took a sip of tea, and then began phoning members of her cabinet and the NEC, calling for a "Labour Strategic Meeting" in order to get the idea past them. After doing so and getting the meeting organised, she began drafting, ready to pitch it to her party.

[Greater Arab State]

To: Charles Henderson

From: Isobel Morton-Howard MP

RE: A potential meeting

Mr Henderson,

I am writing to you in order to discuss the possibility of a meeting between you and I at a date and location that is mutually beneficial to the both of us, regarding recent political developments.

Yours most respectfully,

Isobel Grace Morton-Howard MP

[Sao Nova Europa]

To: Isobel Morton-Howard MP

From: Charles Henderson

RE: A potential meeting - Reply

Ms Morton-Howard

I am most interested in your proposition. My schedule is wide open this week and I can meet you anywhere in London. You can pick exact time and place. I am looking forward to this discussion.

With best regards,
Henderson

[Greater Arab State]

To: Isobel Morton-Howard MP

From: Charles Henderson

RE: A potential meeting - Reply

Ms Morton-Howard

I am most interested in your proposition. My schedule is wide open this week and I can meet you anywhere in London. You can pick exact time and place. I am looking forward to this discussion.

With best regards,
Henderson

To: Charles Henderson

From: Isobel Morton-Howard MP

RE: A potential meeting

Mr Henderson,

Would 19:30 on Thursday at the Goring Dining Room, Belgravia work for you? I am also looking forward to this meeting to a large extent.

With best regards,

Isobel Grace Morton-Howard MP

[Greater Arab State]

The Goring Dining Room, Belgravia, London

The day had passed rather quickly for Morton-Howard, with preparations being made for the next day, when the Commons would return and debate the Withdrawal Agreement. Morton-Howard planned on voting it down as soon as she saw the details of it, believing it not to be the Brexit the electorate had voted for. However, that issue was only one of the multitude of issues that would be discussed with the person she had arranged to meet. Morton-Howard had managed to keep the meeting between the two low-key she didn't want any unwanted attention from the press and perhaps, part of her wanted to avoid causing the Prime Minister any negative emotions if she were seen meeting the leader of a rival party. For the mean time however, all she could do was wait for Charles Henderson to arrive.

[Sao Nova Europa]

Charles arrived some five minutes after the agreed time. His rather short delay was due to an urgent meeting with some of the Brexit Party strategists. As soon as he arrived to the dining room, he politely greeted Morton-Howard with a smile on his face.

"Good evening. I do apologize deeply for the wait. I have been looking forward to this meeting."

[Greater Arab State]

Charles arrived some five minutes after the agreed time. His rather short delay was due to an urgent meeting with some of the Brexit Party strategists. As soon as he arrived to the dining room, he politely greeted Morton-Howard with a smile on his face.

"Good evening. I do apologize deeply for the wait. I have been looking forward to this meeting."

Isobel saw the figure of the Brexit Party's Leader approaching, she smiled, Charles was a good man in her view, one who had dedicated a significant amount of his life, and the entirety of his political career to having the United Kingdom leave the European Union, something she had likewise been deeply in favour of. After he apologised, she maintained her smile and replied.

"It's quite fine, Mr Henderson, I'm sure whatever it was was absolutely necessary." Morton-Howard responded politely.

[Greater Arab State]

The Palace of Westminster, Westminster, London

Morton-Howard, after meeting Henderson, realised that now she had been requested for a meeting, however, the meeting the Member of Parliament for Stone was to have would likely be one of some tension. Morton-Howard was almost at the parliamentary office of Diana Naismith, the Prime Minister, and the women who she served as both the first Brexit Secretary and as Immigration Minister. Morton-Howard, upon arriving at the entrance to the office, entered before speaking to the Secretary present.

“Good afternoon, Ma’am, I believe that I have a meeting scheduled with the Prime Minister shortly?” Morton-Howard asked, she was already aware of what the answer would be but merely wanted to maintain a level of politeness.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

Palace of Westminster, Westminster, London

Morton-Howard, after meeting Henderson, realised that now she had been requested for a meeting, however, the meeting the Member of Parliament for Stone was to have would likely be one of some tension. Morton-Howard was almost at the parliamentary office of Diana Naismith, the Prime Minister, and the women who she served as both the first Brexit Secretary and as Immigration Minister. Morton-Howard, upon arriving at the entrance to the office, entered before speaking to the Secretary present.

“Good afternoon, Ma’am, I believe that I have a meeting scheduled with the Prime Minister shortly?” Morton-Howard asked, she was already aware of what the answer would be but merely wanted to maintain a level of politeness.

As Diana sat inside her office, she chewed on the end of a pencil anxiously. To say that her relationship with Morton-Howard had gone downhill was an understatement. Despite the warmth and good feeling that previously existed between the two as they worked at the Home Office together, and that resulting goodwill being a large motivator behind Diana handpicking Morton-Howard as her first Brexit Secretary, the fallout over Chequers had been brutal, and to see a woman she had considered a close friend - despite political differences - champion her downfall wasn't just politically wounding, it was a deep personal anguish.

The secretary stood up and nodded to Isabel, going to guide her through to the Prime Minister's parliamentary office. "Of course, Mrs Morton-Howard."

Diana had since put down the pencil, but it was unmistakable that despite an iron confidence that had guided her in the earlier stages of her premiership, the winter had left her worse for wear. She looked less well, physically. But she had continued relentlessly onwards, unwilling to stop doing what she saw as her duty.

"Isabel, please, do sit. Do you want something to drink?"

[Greater Arab State]

Palace of Westminster, Westminster, London

Morton-Howard, after meeting Henderson, realised that now she had been requested for a meeting, however, the meeting the Member of Parliament for Stone was to have would likely be one of some tension. Morton-Howard was almost at the parliamentary office of Diana Naismith, the Prime Minister, and the women who she served as both the first Brexit Secretary and as Immigration Minister. Morton-Howard, upon arriving at the entrance to the office, entered before speaking to the Secretary present.

“Good afternoon, Ma’am, I believe that I have a meeting scheduled with the Prime Minister shortly?” Morton-Howard asked, she was already aware of what the answer would be but merely wanted to maintain a level of politeness.

As Diana sat inside her office, she chewed on the end of a pencil anxiously. To say that her relationship with Morton-Howard had gone downhill was an understatement. Despite the warmth and good feeling that previously existed between the two as they worked at the Home Office together, and that resulting goodwill being a large motivator behind Diana handpicking Morton-Howard as her first Brexit Secretary, the fallout over Chequers had been brutal, and to see a woman she had considered a close friend - despite political differences - champion her downfall wasn't just politically wounding, it was a deep personal anguish.

The secretary stood up and nodded to Isabel, going to guide her through to the Prime Minister's parliamentary office. "Of course, Mrs Morton-Howard."

Diana had since put down the pencil, but it was unmistakable that despite an iron confidence that had guided her in the earlier stages of her premiership, the winter had left her worse for wear. She looked less well, physically. But she had continued relentlessly onwards, unwilling to stop doing what she saw as her duty.

"Isabel, please, do sit. Do you want something to drink?"

Isobel promptly sat down before replying,

“If you have it, I’d quite like some water please, Prime Minister.” Isobel replied, she had wanted to follow the Prime Minister’s example in using a first name basis, but with how the relationship between the two had been recently, she thought it best to wait.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

Isobel promptly sat down before replying,

“If you have it, I’d quite like some water please, Prime Minister.” Isobel replied, she had wanted to follow the Prime Minister’s example in using a first name basis, but with how the relationship between the two had been recently, she thought it best to wait.

Diana had some bottles of water kept in her office in a mini-fridge, if anything could more greatly evidence her ruthless practicality, and took out two of them, one for herself and one for her guest. Unscrewing the caps from both and handing one over, she tried to smile, though it was clear the joy didn't really reach her eyes.

"You don't really believe all of the things you've been saying to the press about me, do you? That I'm not really trying when it comes to Europe? You got your ballot on my leadership, you've given me a bruising. I'm hurt, humiliated, whatever you needed that process to be. We should be governing, not trying to match Labour for internecine conflict."

[Greater Arab State]

Isobel promptly sat down before replying,

“If you have it, I’d quite like some water please, Prime Minister.” Isobel replied, she had wanted to follow the Prime Minister’s example in using a first name basis, but with how the relationship between the two had been recently, she thought it best to wait.

Diana had some bottles of water kept in her office in a mini-fridge, if anything could more greatly evidence her ruthless practicality, and took out two of them, one for herself and one for her guest. Unscrewing the caps from both and handing one over, she tried to smile, though it was clear the joy didn't really reach her eyes.

"You don't really believe all of the things you've been saying to the press about me, do you? That I'm not really trying when it comes to Europe? You got your ballot on my leadership, you've given me a bruising. I'm hurt, humiliated, whatever you needed that process to be. We should be governing, not trying to match Labour for internecine conflict."

Morton-Howard considered her answer briefly.

“Of course, some of what I have said may be to an extent hyperbolic but overall, If think the Brexit negotiations and the current Withdrawal Agreement leave much to be desired, particularly to the British electorate. Whilst the no-confidence vote was unfortunate, I found it a necessity to have it due to the Withdrawal Agreement.” Morton-Howard stated thoughtfully.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

Morton-Howard considered her answer briefly.

“Of course, some of what I have said may be to an extent hyperbolic but overall, If think the Brexit negotiations and the current Withdrawal Agreement leave much to be desired, particularly to the British electorate. Whilst the no-confidence vote was unfortunate, I found it a necessity to have it due to the Withdrawal Agreement.” Morton-Howard stated thoughtfully.

"Isobel, I know you better than that. I know you want my job." She shook her head, taking a sip of water. "And that's fine, I guess. But it won't be easy, and it always looks easier from the outside looking in. I need you to recognise that everything I have managed to scrape together so far has been hard fought for, and that no concession I've made has been made easily. Replacing me won't necessarily make things easier. God in Heaven, I'll go if it'll truly help, you know that I put my duty before my ambition, but I've never been the kind of person to abandon ship. Just know that if you run to replace me, there'll both be stiff competition inside the party and huge challenges to take on if you become Prime Minister."

[Greater Arab State]

Morton-Howard considered her answer briefly.

“Of course, some of what I have said may be to an extent hyperbolic but overall, If think the Brexit negotiations and the current Withdrawal Agreement leave much to be desired, particularly to the British electorate. Whilst the no-confidence vote was unfortunate, I found it a necessity to have it due to the Withdrawal Agreement.” Morton-Howard stated thoughtfully.

"Isobel, I know you better than that. I know you want my job." She shook her head, taking a sip of water. "And that's fine, I guess. But it won't be easy, and it always looks easier from the outside looking in. I need you to recognise that everything I have managed to scrape together so far has been hard fought for, and that no concession I've made has been made easily. Replacing me won't necessarily make things easier. God in Heaven, I'll go if it'll truly help, you know that I put my duty before my ambition, but I've never been the kind of person to abandon ship. Just know that if you run to replace me, there'll both be stiff competition inside the party and huge challenges to take on if you become Prime Minister."

“I know that from when we were both in the Home Office, and for that I’m rather grateful. I also recognise that there I would face heavy competition if I were to stand, however, I am of the view that the United Kingdom requires leadership and a sense of unity after the political divisions currently ongoing and I feel that I am well suited to leading the country to that.”

[Gordano and Lysandus]

“I know that from when we were both in the Home Office, and for that I’m rather grateful. I also recognise that there I would face heavy competition if I were to stand, however, I am of the view that the United Kingdom requires leadership and a sense of unity after the political divisions currently ongoing and I feel that I am well suited to leading the country to that.”

"Are you?" The question was asked neutrally, not from an attacking perspective, but rather as if she was trying to pass on wisdom. "Isobel, you've always been very dear to me but I'm not sure whether you entirely get the modern Britain that exists before us. It's socially liberal. Not progressively so, but one that lives and lets live. One that doesn't hound women like they do in the United States, one that doesn't punish people on the basis of their sexuality. What I said in 2003 applies as much today as it did then - we cannot be seen as the Nasty Party."

[Greater Arab State]

“I know that from when we were both in the Home Office, and for that I’m rather grateful. I also recognise that there I would face heavy competition if I were to stand, however, I am of the view that the United Kingdom requires leadership and a sense of unity after the political divisions currently ongoing and I feel that I am well suited to leading the country to that.”

"Are you?" The question was asked neutrally, not from an attacking perspective, but rather as if she was trying to pass on wisdom. "Isobel, you've always been very dear to me but I'm not sure whether you entirely get the modern Britain that exists before us. It's socially liberal. Not progressively so, but one that lives and lets live. One that doesn't hound women like they do in the United States, one that doesn't punish people on the basis of their sexuality. What I said in 2003 applies as much today as it did then - we cannot be seen as the Nasty Party."

“I do understand that, I realise that the country needs to coalesce and put an end to the current political dissentions. However, I also realise that the vote to Leave the EU was one in which the British electorate expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of politics, they feel that their values and interests are not currently represented adequately and I would attempt to do that as much as I can.” Morton-Howard replied reflectively.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

“I do understand that, I realise that the country needs to coalesce and put an end to the current political dissentions. However, I also realise that the vote to Leave the EU was one in which the British electorate expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of politics, they feel that their values and interests are not currently represented adequately and I would attempt to do that as much as I can.” Morton-Howard replied reflectively.

"I've not given up hope that I can get the withdrawal concluded in my own time, but if I can't, I want whomever succeeds me to be able to do it. I'm not like Monroe, I'm not going to spend an obscene amount of time on breakfast shows trying to undermine my succeeds me. I've made my peace with the referendum, as much as some people haven't." She shook her head, sighing. "Isobel, you and I both know that the objections from the ERG don't come from Northern Ireland. Do they just want me gone? Is that what it'll cost to get this done?"